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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

A packed midweek edition touching nearly every corner of Florida State athletics from historic firsts and program-changing decisions to portal volatility and high-stakes roster negotiations.

Here’s what’s inside today:

🏑 FSU Lacrosse Enters the ACC Era 🏑
Florida State unveils its inaugural lacrosse schedule, featuring eight home games, immediate ACC competition, and a transfer-heavy roster built to compete from Day 1.

🏐 End of an Era for FSU Volleyball 🏐
Chris Poole steps down after 18 seasons, closing one of the most successful coaching tenures in FSU athletics history and setting the stage for a national coaching search.

🧱 Offensive Line Reload Continues 🧱
FSU adds Troy freshman Paul Bowling, a true freshman starter with interior versatility, as the Seminoles keep stacking youth, depth, and live-game experience up front.

🛡️ High-Upside Edge Talent on Campus 🛡️
Former Alabama EDGE Noah Carter visits Tallahassee, giving FSU a legitimate swing at a top-100 pedigree defender with three years of eligibility remaining.

🚨 Desir Twins Negotiations Reach a Tipping Point 🚨
FSU’s standoff with Mandrell and Darryll Desir intensifies, with buyouts, contract terms, and portal timelines now dictating the next 24–48 hours.

🧠 FSU Hosts One of the Portal’s Best Linebackers 🧠
Pitt standout Rasheem Biles — an All-ACC linebacker with elite production — visits as FSU searches for an immediate defensive centerpiece.

🏃 RB Board Expands with SEC Pedigree 🏃
Florida transfer Treyaun Webb visits as a potential buy-low addition behind Tre Wisner, bringing size, pedigree, and untapped upside to the evaluation process.

🏈 Ira Schoffel on the QB Ceiling Question 🏈
A pointed opinion piece examining why FSU’s recent quarterback decisions — including Ashton Daniels — make sense financially, but may continue to cap the program’s upside.

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🏑🆕 FSU Lacrosse Unveils Inaugural 2026 Schedule 🆕🏑

Florida State officially rolled out the schedule for its first-ever lacrosse season and it’s an ambitious, nationally connected debut.

🔥 The Big Picture

• 16-game inaugural schedule

• 8 home games at the Seminole Lacrosse Complex

• Heavy ACC exposure right out of the gate

🧠 Roster Snapshot

• 39 players total

• 25 Division I transfers (456 combined appearances, 185+ goals, 8 conference honors)

• 14 true freshmen with elite prep résumés (10 state titles, 6 All-Americans, Orange County POY)

📅 Key Dates to Know

• Feb. 7: Program debut vs. Stetson

• Feb. 24: First ACC home game vs. Boston College (Paint It Pink)

• March homestand: Virginia (Mar. 8), Virginia Tech (Mar. 14), Gardner-Webb (Mar. 18 – Military Appreciation)

• March 29: Senior Day vs. Duke

• April 16: Final home game vs. Clemson (Seminole Spring Weekend / Seminole Heritage)

👉 Full schedule breakdown, home game list, and event details at the source

🏐🏁 Chris Poole Steps Down as FSU Volleyball Head Coach 🏁🏐

Florida State volleyball is entering a new era after longtime head coach Chris Poole announced he is stepping away following the 2025 season.

🏆 A Legacy of Sustained Success

• 18 seasons at FSU

• 405 wins with the Seminoles

• 15 NCAA Tournament appearances

• 4 ACC championships

• 5 trips to the NCAA Round of 16

• First ACC program to reach a National Semifinal (2011)

• Four-time ACC Coach of the Year

Across 39 seasons as a head coach, Poole finishes with 955 career wins — seventh-most in Division I history.

🧠 Why He’s Stepping Away
Poole chose not to seek a contract extension and said the decision followed significant reflection.

He plans to pursue a next chapter in athletics administration.

🔍 What Comes Next

• Florida State will launch a national search for its next head coach

• The program remains one of the ACC’s most stable and respected, built on nearly two decades of consistency

👉 Full announcement, quotes, and coaching search details at the source

🧱✍️ FSU Lands Troy OL Transfer Paul Bowling ✍️🧱

Florida State added another young, game-tested piece to its offensive line rebuild, landing Troy freshman Paul Bowling one day after his visit concluded.

🔥 Why Bowling Chose FSU

• Committed Wednesday after a strong visit

• Chose Florida State over Georgia Tech

• Prioritized development, fit, relationships, and winning

• Came away impressed with Mike Norvell and OL coach Herb Hand

📊 On-Field Snapshot

• 6’4”, 315 lbs | Interior OL

• True freshman starter at Troy in 2025

• Started all 12 games (9 at center, 3 at left guard)

• Logged 752 snaps

• 63.5 PFF grade

🧠 Role at FSU

• Viewed as an interior lineman

• Can compete at both guard and center

• Adds youth, flexibility, and live-game experience to the OL room

🔍 Big Picture
Bowling fits the exact mold FSU is targeting up front: young, versatile, and already battle-tested. With multiple experienced portal linemen also joining the roster, this is a developmental bet that still brings immediate depth and long-term upside.

👉 Commitment details, quotes, and visit context at the source

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🛡️🔥 FSU Hosts Former Alabama EDGE Noah Carter 🔥🛡️

Florida State brought in a high-upside edge defender on Wednesday, hosting former Alabama pass rusher Noah Carter for an official visit — and the Seminoles clearly made an impression.

🔥 The Visit

• Carter called the trip “a great opportunity”

• Strong connection with Nick Williams and recruiting staff

• Impressed by FSU’s facilities, including the Dunlap Center

• Met with DC Tony White to discuss role and usage

🧠 How FSU Sees Him

• 6’4”, 243 lbs

• Recruited as a “Jack” EDGE / OLB hybrid

• Usage plan under Tony White resonated with him

• Emphasis on trust, development, and defined role

📊 Player Snapshot

• Former top-100 national recruit (2024 class)

• 2025 at Alabama: 9 tackles, 1 TFL involvement, 3 QB hurries

• Three years of eligibility remaining

⏭️ What’s Next

• Previously visited Arizona State

• Scheduled to visit Georgia Tech next

• Unclear if additional visits will follow

🔍 Big Picture
Carter is exactly the type of swing FSU wants to take on defense: elite pedigree, physical traits, and untapped upside. If the Seminoles can sell development and early opportunity in a hybrid role, this recruitment is very much one to watch.

👉 Visit quotes, role context, and recruitment timeline at the source

🚨🔁 Desir Twins Negotiations Enter Critical Phase 🔁🚨

Florida State’s standoff with freshman defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryll Desir reached a tense, uncertain point Wednesday as negotiations continued deep into the day — with no resolution yet in sight.

🧠 Where Things Stand

• FSU and the Desirs’ camp have been in active negotiations throughout the week

• As of Wednesday evening, no final agreement had been reached

• The mood around FSU fluctuated sharply — from optimism earlier in the day to a “low point” by nightfall

💼 The Meeting That Mattered

• The Desirs met directly with Mike Norvell at the Football-Only Facility on Wednesday afternoon

• Compensation numbers were discussed, along with additional deal terms

• Sources indicate FSU had already agreed to updated financial numbers

• Talks stalled over non-monetary terms and last-second conditions, which FSU declined

💰 Contract & Buyout Context

• The twins signed new three-year deals right before the 2025 season

• Total compensation: seven figures over three years (mid-six figures annually per player)

• Estimated buyout: ~$500,000 per player, a significant factor in negotiations

• Buyout could be covered by their agency or a future school if they transfer

⏳ Portal Timeline

• Paperwork to enter the portal has reportedly been submitted to compliance

• FSU has up to two business days to officially process the entries

• If no agreement is reached overnight or Thursday morning, portal entry becomes far more likely

👀 If They Hit the Market…

• LSU is expected to push immediately

• Other rumored programs: Clemson, Texas A&M, Missouri

• The twins are not asking for identical terms, further complicating talks

🔍 Big Picture
This has moved well beyond a simple NIL dispute. Offset language, guarantees, incentives, and buyout mechanics are now central — a reminder of how complex roster retention has become in the rev-share era. A resolution is still possible, but the next 12–24 hours will likely decide whether FSU keeps two cornerstone young defenders or loses them to the open market.

👉 Full negotiation timeline, sourcing, and portal implications from both sources here and here

🧠🔥 FSU Hosting Pitt LB Transfer Rasheem Biles 🔥🧠

Florida State is bringing one of the most productive linebackers in the transfer portal to Tallahassee.

🔥 The Visit

• Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles is expected to visit FSU today

• Coming off a recent trip to Colorado

• Ranked No. 62 overall and No. 2 LB in the portal (247Sports)

📊 Elite Production

• 2025 (Second-Team All-ACC):

  • 101 tackles

  • ACC-leading 17 TFLs

  • 4.5 sacks

  • 2 pick-sixes

• 2024 (Third-Team All-ACC):

  • 82 tackles

  • 14.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks

  • INT TD, forced fumble, fumble recovery

  • Team-high 9 pass breakups

🧠 Why FSU Is Interested

• Immediate need at linebacker:

  • Elijah Herring and Stefon Thompson exhausted eligibility

  • Juice Cryer entered the portal

• Biles offers:

  • Three-down production

  • Proven pass-rush and coverage impact

  • ACC-tested reliability

🔍 Big Picture
This is a potential cornerstone addition. Biles is a high-volume, high-impact linebacker who could step in and lead immediately. With portal priorities shifting toward proven ACC production, this visit is one to watch closely.

👉 Full visit update, portal ranking context, and linebacker board intel at the source

🏃🔍 FSU Hosts Florida RB Transfer Treyaun Webb 🔍🏃

Florida State is taking a closer look at another running back option as portal evaluations continue.

🔥 The Visit

• Florida RB Treyaun Webb is visiting FSU, per multiple sources

• Former four-star recruit out of Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville)

📊 Career Snapshot

• 2023 (Freshman):

  • 11 games played

  • 26 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs

  • 4 catches, 18 yards

• 2024:

  • Backup RB early in season

  • Missed remainder due to injury (redshirt)

• 2025:

  • Missed entire season after hamstring surgery

🧠 Why He’s Interesting

• Compact, physical build (5’11”, 217 lbs)

• SEC experience + special teams background

• Former high-upside recruit whose career has been stalled by injuries, not role

🔍 Big Picture
This is a classic buy-low evaluation. Webb hasn’t put together a full healthy season yet, but the pedigree, frame, and early flashes make him a worthwhile look as FSU continues rounding out its running back room behind Tre Wisner.

👉 Visit update, background, and portal context via the source

🧠🏈 Ira Schoffel: Why FSU’s QB Strategy Keeps Putting a Ceiling on the Program 🏈🧠

Florida State’s decision to land Ashton Daniels makes sense on paper but it also highlights the program’s ongoing quarterback dilemma.

🤔 The Core Frustration

• This marks three straight seasons without FSU landing a proven, upper-tier college QB

• Daniels is functional and affordable — but not a difference-maker

• That pattern has coincided with a 2–10 season and another disappointing follow-up year

🔙 How We Got Here

• 2024: DJ Uiagalelei was expected to be solid, but a weak OL and run game doomed the offense

• 2025: Tommy Castellanos fit Gus Malzahn’s system, but injuries and regression capped the ceiling

• 2026: Daniels arrives as the least expensive — and least proven — of recent QB targets

💰 The Money Question

• FSU could have spent more at QB (Lagway, Colandrea)

• Instead, it chose to allocate resources toward:

  • Retaining current players flirting with the portal

  • Addressing multiple roster holes elsewhere

• Schoffel argues that might be rational — but it also keeps FSU stuck in the middle

⚖️ The Catch-22

• FSU isn’t good enough to justify paying top dollar for an elite QB

• But without an elite QB, it’s hard to become good enough

• A more athletic QB in 2024 or a more accurate passer in 2025 may have changed everything

🔮 What Could Still Happen

• Daniels could be “good enough” in a run-first Malzahn offense

• Redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry might still push for the job

• The offense around them is improving:

  • Duce Robinson returns

  • Tre Wisner upgrades the run game

  • Confidence remains in Malzahn + Herb Hand to stabilize the OL

🚨 The Stakes
If FSU can’t even get back to decent in 2026, Schoffel argues these QB decisions will be the clearest reason why.

Quarterback isn’t just important — it’s everything.
And since convincing Jordan Travis to stay in 2023, FSU hasn’t truly treated it that way.

👉 Opinion and analysis from Ira Schoffel at the source

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today.

This edition really captures the moment Florida State is in — not rebuilding from scratch, but constantly choosing which bets are worth making and which risks are unavoidable. Some of these decisions will look smart in hindsight. Others will define the ceiling.

Either way, the margin for error is thin — and the next few days in the portal could matter a lot.

Talk soon,
– The Chief 🏹